Zurich, Switzerland – FIFA announced that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved new amendments to the Laws of the Game. These amendments aim to curb discriminatory and inappropriate behavior on the field before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will run from June 11 to July 19, with 48 teams participating.
FIFA explained in an official statement that the IFAB Council unanimously approved two proposals submitted by the international federation during an extraordinary meeting held in Vancouver, Canada. This followed extensive consultations with various stakeholders.
The new amendments included the following:
- Tournament organizers have been granted the authority to punish any player who deliberately covers their mouth during matches against opponents, if the behavior is deemed inappropriate. The punishment could be a direct expulsion.
- Any player who leaves the field in protest against the referee’s decisions may be sent off. The same penalty will apply to any official who incites players to walk off the pitch.
- The team that caused the match to be cancelled is automatically considered the loser.
FIFA confirmed that the 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup will be notified of these changes in the coming period, in preparation for their official implementation.
